Interview

Chapter Nine - Interview

Christiana’s POV

It's a new day. A step further to my revenge and today, I was going for an interview, to become the secretary to Bella Calamida's husband.

I dressed my best and prepared fervently for it.

It would be impossible for me not to qualify, matter of fact I overqualified.

I had two Bachelor's Degree in Stanford University and Columbia University respectively, and I also have a Master's degree in Pennsylvania University.

I am a smart girl, one thing I would give an applause to my father for always was how he invested so much in me, I am endowed with so many qualities.

I qualify to be the wife of Prince Charles and even someone more reputable.

How much more to be seduced by Bryan Adams, I know my onions.

But, there were too many people in the lobby. Way too many. The kind of crowd that made you question your own qualifications, your perfume, your shoes… even your birth certificate.

I wasn't sure any more if I would qualify better than the over 100 people I can see here in this lobby.

Well, I wouldn't let my guard down, I have to get this f*cking job to be closer to Bryan Adams and get him to hate his miserable wife, Bella Calamida.

I stepped into the glass-walled waiting area of Adams Petroleum and Gas and found myself surrounded by a lineup of polished resumes wrapped in expensive suits and nerves disguised as confidence.

Everyone sat upright like they were auditioning for a Wall Street commercial. I, on the other hand, took a deep breath, smoothed my black pencil skirt, and sat down like I owned the building.

Well… almost. I crossed my legs, flicked an imaginary piece of lint from my blazer, and reminded myself why I was here. This was the second part of my plan. The infiltration. The sweet, administrative route to destruction.

What do you think? I am a genius right? The highest rate of billionaire's infidelity is usually with their secretary because these men are workaholic and they spend more time at work than at home,

So, do the maths.

More time at work with me, he falls in love deeper and deeper.

Less time at home, he starts hating on Bella Calamida.

This is history repeating itself.

Just as Bella happened to steal my father's heart away from my mother.

The only difference is I was the middleman between her and my father.

There was no way a lady of low class like Bella Calamida would get close to my father.

At the time I met her, she had no degree, she was a college dropout and a peasant.

I can't stop hating myself for being the reason why she got to my father, that's why I have to make up for that mistake by getting back at her for the pain she had bestowed upon I and my family.

“Christiana Salazar?” a woman called out snapping me out of my thoughts.

I rose with a calm I didn’t feel, offered a polite smile to no one in particular, and followed her down a gleaming corridor that smelled like new money and recycled ambition.

The walls were lined with portraits of former CEOs, all smiling like they had stocks in your soul. I wasn’t impressed at all.

“Interview room five,” the woman said with a nod and disappeared.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Three people sat at the polished table inside.

One looked like he’d forgotten what century he was in, the second looked like she knew exactly how expensive her makeup was, and the third looked like he could tell you what kind of cologne Elon Musk wore on Tuesdays.

The matured man in the middle blinked at me. “Well, damn,” he said. “If I’d known we were interviewing Miss Texas, I’d have brought a crown.”

I arched a brow. “I left it in the car, my bad.”

He burst out laughing, slapping the table like we were at a barbecue feast. “I like her already.”

“That’s Ben,” the woman on the left said dryly. She didn’t smile. “Ignore him.”

“Ignore me? Sandy, I’ve been working here longer than both of you have had driver’s licenses.”

Sandy sighed and leaned in. “Christiana, I’m Sandy, the HR lead. This is Desmond, executive assistant to the COO. And the comedian in the middle is Ben. He’s head of recruitment, but don’t let that scare you.”

“Scare her? I’m practically her biggest fan already,” Ben grinned. “You sure you’re applying for a secretary role? You look like you came to take over the company.”

I gave a small, practiced smile. “One step at a time.”

That got a chuckle from Desmond, who looked mildly impressed. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

"Yes please, thank you"

As they skimmed through my curriculum vitae they couldn't believe their eyes, they kept glancing at eachother and glancing at me and back to my CV.

I didn't stop smiling like a clown from ear to ear.

Ben started again, "My dear Lord, Christiana. Why would you want to settle for the position as Secretary with this outstanding qualification?"

"Pardon me, the position as Secretary to the CEO, right?" I asked almost as though I didn't know that was what the position available was.

"Yes, Secretary to the CEO, not the CEO. Is that what you really want to apply for or maybe there was a mistake somewhere?" he asked still looking at me unbelievably.

"It wasn't a mistake, Ben" I said smiling widely, "I think the CEO of a company as reputable as Adams Petroleum and Gas requires a secretary who is as qualified as I am enable him to be a better CEO and for the growth of this company"

"Wow..." Sandy said impressed, "Have you ever worked as a secretary before?" she asked curiously.

"No, but as you can see in my résumé, I have worked as the personal assistant to the Chairman of Salazar Empire and I've..."

"Christiana Salazar..." Desmond cut me short, "He was your father?"

"He 'is' my father" I emphasized on the present tense, my father wasn't dead yet.

They all looked at eachother knowingly, of course they must have heard the news, they know the story and they would be stupid if they mention it in this interviewing room.

"Okay, Christiana, we have a few questions for you based on the position you applied for..." Sandy continued with random talks.

The questions came fast, skill sets, scheduling experience, confidentiality protocols, software fluency, adaptability under pressure. I answered each one smoothly, precisely, never faltering. If they wanted polished professionalism, I’d hand them marble.

Sandy flipped a page on her clipboard. “Have you ever worked directly under a high-level executive before? Apart from Mr. Salazar.”

I tilted my head just slightly. “I’ve had experience supporting powerful men. The trick is knowing when to speak… and when to listen.”

Ben let out a snort. “I’m going to get in trouble for how much I’m enjoying this interview.”

Desmond looked up from his notes. “Christiana, do you know the CEO, Mr. Bryan Adams?”

My heart skipped, just slightly, but I didn’t show it. “Yes I do and I look forward to serving him with grace, discretion, and ruthless efficiency.”

Sandy narrowed her eyes. “You do realize the CEO can be... intense, private and very demanding.”

“I do intense,” I said smoothly. “And I value privacy. Besides…” I leaned in slightly, “demanding men are often the most rewarding to work for.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Ben stood. “Well, hell, if we don’t hire her, I’ll quit.”

Desmond laughed. “We won’t ask for that. But you are hired, Christiana. Consider this your offer.”

I blinked once. “Just like that?”

Sandy smiled faintly, but it counted. “We don’t waste time when we see gold.”

“You’re smart, capable, confident, and you make Ben shut up long enough to take notes,” Desmond added. “That alone makes you CEO secretary material.”

“I told you!” Ben shouted triumphantly.

“So…” Sandy continued, “Can you start on Monday?”

“Yes,” I said instantly, standing as they did. “Absolutely.”

Ben walked me to the door like I was royalty. “You know,” he said with a wink, “I’m a little jealous. You’re going to be spending a lot of time up close with our mysterious boss.”

“I’ll try not to break him,” I said sweetly, stepping out with a practiced sway in my hips.

I noticed they were definitely wondering what a charm I used on them to make them love me immediately.

It is the power of seduction that God gave to me when I lost my mother.

Let them think they’d just hired an ambitious secretary.

Let them think they’d made the perfect find.

Tomorrow, Bryan Adams would walk into his office...

And I’d be waiting.